Morio Kazama Movies

Simultaneous parodying and paying tribute to classic Japanese samurai films, Samurai Fiction marries a knowing satire of the dramatic elements of movies about traditional Japanese warriors with exciting, straightforward fight sequences. In 1696, the Shogun's samurai keep the peace in a divided land as Inukai (Mitsuru Fukikoshi) studies the way of the warrior. The son of his clan's hereditary leader, Inukai has a short temper and isn't especially smart; when his clan's prized traditional sword is stolen by their nemesis, Kazamatsuri (Tomoyasu Hotei), he's sent to look for it, but just to be safe, two other samurai are sent along -- Kurosawa and Suzuki. Kazamatsuri, however, makes short work of the two veteran warriors, and Inukai escaped, wounded, to the home of Mizoguchi (Morio Kazama). Mizoguchi welcomes him into his home, espousing the virtues of pacifisms, while his lovely daughter Koharu (Tamaki Ogawa) nurses him back to health. However, after Kazamatsuri re-emerges as a bodyguard for a female gambling tycoon, Okatsu (Mari Natsuki), Inukai realized he must meet Kazamatsuri again for a final battle. Tomoyasu Hotei, who plays the villain, is also a popular and acclaimed guitarist in Japan, and he also scored this film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Japanese Ijintachi Tono Natsu was based on a novel by Taichi Yamada. Morio Kazama plays a television writer whose spirits are crushed by his divorce. The writer moves into a tiny apartment in another part of town, hoping for a fresh start in life. But his emotions are in for another jolt: his new neighbors are his long-lost parents, who had reportedly died years earlier. The film's English-language title is The Discarnates. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A has-been samurai movie star takes unfair advantage of the loyalty of one of his devoted fans in this Japanese comedy-drama. The star uses the fan's help to escape a number of sticky situations and eventually hatches a plan to use them as a double during a dangerous stunt. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Natsuko (Setsuko Karasumaru) is a woman of 20 who feels entrapped in her long-running relationship with another man - she wants out of a "nowhere" life and into something better. To that end, she hooks up with a photographer and poses for him in the nude - if only to break away from her restricted existence for awhile. Soon the photographer leads her to a relationship with an open-minded man who helps her along the path of individual choice and freedom. Her next relationship is with a well-known actor who is able to introduce her to an acting job - an intimation that perhaps Natsuko's life will change after all. Given enough time and men, could she eventually run for Prime Minister? ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi